Two wildfires raging in northern Wyoming have caused both areas to evacuate Monday morning. The Pack Trail Fire in the Bridger Teton National Forest and the Elk Fire in the Bighorn National Forest have been burning for weeks. Both wildfires are causing air quality alerts nearby.
Update Tues. Oct. 14 at 4:30 p.m.
Pack Trail Fire in the Bridger-Teton National Forest
Fire stats: 86,555 acres burned, 613 personnel and 62 percent contained.
Air quality northwest of the fire is very unhealthy. Everyone is advised to limit or avoid outdoor activity. This includes Kelly, Moose, and Jackson. Dubois is rated as unhealthy for sensitive groups. For the most up-to-date air quality and advice click here.
The fire grew by about 8,000 acres overnight. Crews are working hard on protecting structures, as well as a group of endangered whitebark pine trees.
Forest closures have been slightly reduced on the north and east sides of the Pack Trail Fire but a majority of the area is closed to the public until November 15.
As firefighting continues, some areas around the Pack Trail Fire have decreased from an evacuation level “Go” (leave now) to “Ready”, while other areas have increased to an evacuation level “Go”.
Head to the U.S. Forest Service Bridger-Teton National Forest Facebook page for the most up-to-date information.
Here are the evacuation orders as of Oct. 15, 4 p.m.
Level 3 “Go”: The Upper Gros Ventre area above the Goosewing Road Junction, Lava Mountain subdivisions, McKenzie Highland Ranch, Triangle C Ranch and Old KOA/Old Wind River Ranch.
Level 2 “Set”: Darwin Ranch Area, Brooks Lake Lodge, Brooks Lake Rd., East & West Pinnacle Dr., Breccia Dr. and U.S. Hwy 26, entrance to Brooks Lake Rd., Falls Camp Ground, Long Creek Subdivision, All Union Pass and adjacent community roads, Timberline Ranch area, 4141 Hwy 26, Bourbon Rd./Rawhide Subdivision, 4165 and adjacent areas of Hwy 26, Big Diamond Ranch, 4341 and adjacent areas of Hwy 26, and Pitas Ranch/Hat Butte Ranch Rd.
Level 1 “Ready”: The Dunoir Road Corridor North of Hwy 26
Elk Fire in the Bighorn National Forest
Fire stats: 91,905 acres burned, 939 personnel and 26 percent contained.
Air quality east of the fire is moderate. This means unusually sensitive people should consider reducing outdoor activity. This includes Dayton, Ranchester and Big Horn. Sheridan is unhealthy for sensitive groups. For the most up-to-date air quality and advice click here.
The Elk Fire increased by about 2,590 acres overnight. Firefighters are focusing and keeping folks living in the area safe by beefing up the barrier on the eastern fire line.
The Wyoming Department of Transportation opened some portions of Highway 14 that were closed previously. The highway is open From Greybull to Burgess Junction and Burgess Junction to Lovell now.
There are no changes to the Elk Fire Evacuation map and the road closure list from Monday.
Head to Sheridan County’s Elk Fire Update page for the most up-to-date information.
The Elk Fire hotline number is: 307-303-7642
Here are the evacuation orders as of Oct. 15, 4 p.m.
Level 3 “Go”: Red Grade Road area, the area west from the end of Bear Gulch Road continuing southeast to Hidden Valley Road and south to the U.S. Forest Service boundary. This includes all cabins within the Teepee Cabin group, all cabins in the Black Tooth Cabin Association and homes on Lower Hideaway Lane, Red Poll Lane, and Upper Hideaway Lane. This also includes Stumpy Ridge, Helsberg, and Folley Ranch.
Level 2 “Set”: The intersection of Hidden Valley Road and Highway 335, continuing east to the intersection of Brinton Road southeast along the foothills to Kemp Creek, and south to the U.S. Forest Service boundary.
Level 1 “Ready”: The area south of Highway 335 and Brinton Road, east to Highway 87. This includes everything west and south of the intersection of Highway 87 and Bird Farm Road. This does not include the Equestrian Hills subdivision or the Big Horn Equestrian Center.
Pack Trail Fire in the Bridger-Teton National Forest
Fire stats: 77,559 acres burned, 639 personnel and 62 percent contained.
Air quality northwest of the fire is hazardous. Everyone is advised to stay indoors. This includes Moran, Kelly and Moose. Dubois is rated as very unhealthy while Jackson is unhealthy. For the most-up to-date air quality and advice click here.
As fire fighting continues, some areas around the Pack Trail Fire have decreased from an evacuation level “Go” (leave now) to “Ready”, while other areas have increased to an evacuation level “Go”.
Below are the evacuation levels as of Oct. 14 at noon. Head to the U.S. Forest Service Bridger-Teton National Forest Facebook page for the most up-to-date information.
Level 3 “Go”: The Upper Gros Ventre area above the Goosewing Road Junction, Lava Mountain subdivisions, McKenzie Highland Ranch, Triangle C Ranch and Old KOA/Old Wind River Ranch.
Level 2 “Set”: Brooks Lake Lodge, Pinnacle Cabins, Falls Camp, and Long Creek.
Level 1 “Ready”: The Dunoir Road Corridor.
Elk Fire in the Bighorn National Forest
Fire stats: 89,315 acres burned, 944 personnel and 27 percent contained.
Air quality east of the fire is very unhealthy. This means everyone should limit or avoid outdoor physical activity. This includes Sheridan and Big Horn. Dayton and Ranchester are currently rated as unhealthy. For the most up-to-date air quality and advice click here.
Due to firefighting operations, some areas around the Elk Fire have decreased from an evacuation level “Go” (leave now) to “Ready”, while other areas have increased to an evacuation level “Go”.
Below are the evacuation levels as of Oct. 14 at noon. Head to Sheridan County’s Elk Fire Update page for the most up-to-date information.
The Elk Fire hotline number is: 307-303-7642
Level 3 “Go”: Red Grade Road area, the area west from the end of Bear Gulch Road continuing southeast to Hidden Valley Road and south to the U.S. Forest Service boundary. This includes all cabins within the Teepee Cabin group, all cabins in the Black Tooth Cabin Association and homes on Lower Hideaway Lane, Red Poll Lane, and Upper Hideaway Lane. This also includes Stumpy Ridge, Helsberg, and Folley Ranch.
Level 2 “Set”: The intersection of Hidden Valley Road and Highway 335, continuing east to the intersection of Brinton Road southeast along the foothills to Kemp Creek, and south to the U.S. Forest Service boundary.
Level 1 “Ready”: The area south of Highway 335 and Brinton Road, east to Highway 87. This includes everything west and south of the intersection of Highway 87 and Bird Farm Road. This does not include the Equestrian Hills subdivision or the Big Horn Equestrian Center.
Public information officers will be at the Big Horn post office Oct. 14 from 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm to answer questions about the current fire situation, operational strategies, and evacuations.
